But at the end of the day, will that alone sustain you? Will those precious acts of service bring affirmation towards salvation? And will those blistered hands alone grant you entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven?

See, it’s very easy for us to stand in the entrance of a crowded church, with our lanyard placed perfectly around our necks, and feel like we deserve to be there. As if something we did granted us access into this “holy of holies” position. Secretly expecting the entire church body to stand in recognition of our audacious servant-hood and spiritual presence. Yeah, I said it because most are thinking it.

I believe that the church of today is facing an epidemic. One of false security and an even greater sense of false salvation. It’s called serving. And while that might sound a little silly, I want you to examine your heart with me for a moment. Don’t get me wrong, I am not necessarily questioning your salvation; I am questioning where you are seeking it from…

Here’s my point: Just because you serve, doesn’t mean you’re saved.

Matthew 7:21-23 – Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

There is more to the church than serving. And until you realize serving is an addition, not your foundation, you are headed down a road paved by a false sense of security. I know plenty of people willing to serve the church, but who aren’t willing to seek God. Believe me, there have been times where I used to be one of them.

Romans 16:18 – Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.

Now, don’t get me wrong, serving your local church is incredible. I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. But my heart goes out to the people who feel that their relationship with God peaks and completes with serving. I mean, c’mon really? God is bigger than a plastic lanyard, fake security t-shirt, and a youth group pizza party.

This post is to open your eyes to the greatness of God’s divine wisdom and direction. Can some of these attributes be found in the beauty of serving? Yes, but that alone will not sustain you for the road ahead. Serving alone will not plant the roots of your faith deep into the love of Christ.

Colossians 2:7 – Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

God is looking for more than servants. He is looking for seekers. People who go to extreme lengths to seek his face. And although serving is an incredible catalyst in learning the importance of being a bond-servant, it is not meant to be your only avenue for divine wisdom. It’s meant to be an addition.

Matthew 6:33 – Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

So how do we take these truths from Scripture and apply them to our lives? The first thing we need to do is check our heads. Are we serving for self-satisfaction, or God-breathed wisdom?

Secondly, we need to check our heart. Are we serving to further God’s kingdom, or to further our own agendas?

Lastly, we need to check our hands. Are we serving to build the kingdom, or to build our own spiritual resume?

God is looking for more than servants. He is looking for men and women who are seeking after Him and following His Word. Don’t let the false security of servanthood get in the way of your relationship with God. Heart work is just as important as hard word. With God, attitude matters as much if not more than action.